History: Clifford Higgin, 1873-1951, was born in Bacup, England. In 1896 he moved to Blackpool where he directed the Orpheus Glee Society and the Blackpool Light Opera Society and won the conductor's medallion at the Concours International de Music in Paris. In 1914 Higgin moved to Brantford, Ontario, then in 1920 to Calgary, Alberta. Higgin moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1926, but returned to Calgary two years later. In Calgary, Higgin was the organist and choirmaster at Knox United Church and later at Hillhurst United Church. He was also president of the Calgary branch of the Alberta Musical Festival, conductor of the Calgary Light Opera Society, and organist and choir master for the Zetland Lodge of Freemasons. He composed many works of music for the choirs he worked with, as well as orchestral works, chamber music, and solo songs. He married Mary Buckley, ?-1942, and they had two sons, John Shelley Haydn and Henry Elgar. Higgin's son Elgar and Elgar's wife Eileen were also prominent musicians in Calgary. This tradition continues with their daughter Elaine Case, and her daughter, Andrea.

Scope and Content: The fonds consists of sheet music, mostly handwritten manuscripts from his years in Calgary. Includes some earlier works and published copies, as well as programs, photos and clippings relating to the Higgin family in general.

Source of Acquisition: Gifts of Jennifer Higgin and Elaine Case, 1989, and University of Alberta Library, 2014.